US20100043920A1 - Dispenser - Google Patents
Dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100043920A1 US20100043920A1 US12/441,647 US44164707A US2010043920A1 US 20100043920 A1 US20100043920 A1 US 20100043920A1 US 44164707 A US44164707 A US 44164707A US 2010043920 A1 US2010043920 A1 US 2010043920A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lid
- dispensing head
- arm
- sample vessel
- dispensing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1065—Multiple transfer devices
- G01N35/1074—Multiple transfer devices arranged in a two-dimensional array
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
- B01L3/5085—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
- B01L3/50853—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates with covers or lids
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
- G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
- G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
- G01N2035/0403—Sample carriers with closing or sealing means
- G01N2035/0405—Sample carriers with closing or sealing means manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers
Abstract
A dispensing head 4 which moves relatively to a sample vessel 8 to dispense a sample into the sample vessel is provided with lid traps 32. The lid traps 32 have arms 38 freely swingable for the dispensing head 4 and sucking pads 39 formed on the lower ends of the arms 38, respectively. The arms 38 are swung by a lid trap swinging cylinder 24 thereby to move the lid 9 trapped by sucking using the sucking pads 39 sideward of the dispensing head 4.
Description
- This invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a sample employed in the fields of screening of created medicines, biotechnology and medical science.
- As a device for systematically executing a test such as a biochemical reaction of a material, there is known a dispenser for dispensing a sample such as a reagent or a liquid medicine into a sample vessel such as a microtiter plate with multiple wells arranged in a grid pattern. The dispenser is provided with a dispensing head with plural nozzles for sample dispensing on a movable moving stage. The dispensing head moves above the sample vessel to dispense the sample into the sample vessel.
- In order to prevent dust from being mixed into the wells, as the case may be, the sample vessel is equipped with a removable lid. In dispensing for such a lid-equipped sample vessel, prior to dispending, the lid must be removed from the sample vessel. To this end, there is a known dispenser in which a lid attaching/detaching device for attaching/detaching the lid is attached onto the moving stage, separately from the dispensing head.
- [Patent Reference 1] JP-A-2005-300200
- [Patent Reference 2] JP-A-9-281115
- However, in the dispenser in which the lid attaching/detaching device is provided separately from the dispensing head as described above, the dispensing head and the lid attaching/detaching device must be moved so that they do not interfere with each other. As a result, the operation of the dispensing head and that of the lid attaching/detaching device are complicatedly confused, thereby deteriorating the efficiency. Further, the lid removed from the sample vessel by the lid attaching/detaching is not necessarily returned to the sample vessel so that the sample put on the lid may be mixed into another sample.
- Thus, an object of this invention is to provide a dispenser which can efficiently dispense a sample into lid-equipped sample vessel and prevent the sample put on the lid from being mixed into another sample.
- According to the invention, a dispenser for dispensing a sample in a sample vessel equipped with a removable lid in a state where the lid is removed, comprising: a dispensing head for dispensing the sample into the sample vessel by its movement relative to the sample vessel; a lid trap attached to the dispensing head for trapping the lid; and a lid trap driving means for driving the lid trap to move the lid trapped by the lid trap sideward of the dispensing head.
- Additionally, the lid trap has an arm swingable for the dispensing head, and the lid trap driving means swings the arm for the dispensing head thereby to move the lid tapped by the lid trap sideward of the dispensing head.
- Additionally, when the arm is driven by the lid trap driving means to swing for the dispensing head, it operates to bring the trapped lid near to the dispensing head.
- Additionally, the lid trap traps the lid through sucking by a sucking piece formed at the lower end of the arm.
- Additionally, the arm is provided as a pair of arms on both sides of the dispensing head, and an arm opening/closing means is provided to open/close the lower ends of the pair of arms to sandwich the sample vessel.
- In accordance with the dispenser according to this invention, while the sample is dispensed into the sample vessel by the dispensing head, the lid trapped by the lid trap prior to dispensing can be left moved (retreated) sideward of the dispensing head. Thus, a series of operations from removal of the lid prior to dispensing to the dispensing and return of the lid after the dispensing can be smoothly performed so that the dispensing for the sample vessel equipped with the lid can be done effectively in a short time. Further, since the lid removed from the sample vessel prior to the dispensing is necessarily returned to the original sample vessel, the sample within the sample vessel put on the lid will not be mixed in another sample.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample vessel and lid according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 3 is a front view of a dispensing head according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of a dispensing head according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the dispensing head according to this invention. -
FIG. 6 is a front view of a dispensing head according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 7 is a front view of a dispensing head according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 8 is a front view of a dispensing head according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 9 is a front view of a dispensing head according to an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 10 is a front view of a dispensing head according to an embodiment of this invention. - Now, referring to the drawings, an explanation will be given of an embodiment of this invention.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , adispenser 1 includes a box-shapehollow cover member 2, a table provided within thecover member 2, and a dispensinghead 4 attached to a moving stage (not shown) freely movable above the table 3. The dispensinghead 4 hasmultiple nozzles 5 extended downward for sample dispensing. A conicalhollow dip 6 is mounted in each of thenozzles 5. - On the upper surface of the table 3,
plural working stages 7 are provided. Theworking stages 7 are a sample vessel placing stage for placing a sample vessel (e.g. microtiter plate) 8 into which the sample such as a reagent or liquid medicine is dispensed from the dispensinghead 4, acleaning stage 10 for cleaning the tip of the nozzle ordip 6, a cooling stage for cooling the sample or reagent supplied by a reservoir 11 and a stirring stage for stirring the solution contained in the vessel. Theseworking stages 7 selected according to a dispensing operation are placed on the table 3. - On the front face of the
cover member 2, an accessing opening 12 for accessing the table 3 from outside of thedispenser 1 is provided. The accessing opening 12 can be freely opened/closed by a shutter member 13 which ascends or descends along thecover member 2. At the lower edge of the accessing opening 12,connectors 14 of various kinds of cables of electric wires and conduits connected to theworking stages 7 and others are collected at the same spot to be oriented in the same direction. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , a plurality of wells 8 a are arranged in a grid pattern in thesample vessel 8. Alid 9 is removably placed to overlie the upper part of these wells 8 a. Thenozzles 5 of the dispensinghead 4 are two-dimensionally arranged so as to correspond to the arrangement of these wells 8 a. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , to the upper place of the front surface (this side of a paper face inFIG. 3 ) of the dispensinghead 4, metal fittings 21 L-shaped in section are attached. To the upper surface of a horizontal portion 21 a of themetal fittings 21, the lower end of abody 22 of a lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 is fixed. Arod 23 is inserted in thebody 22 and penetrates the horizontal portion 21 a of the metal fitting 21 to protrude downward. Thebody 22 androd 23 constitute the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24. - To the lower end of the
rod 23, ablock 25 is attached. Theblock 25 has a slot groove 25 a extended in a back-and-forth direction of the dispensinghead 4 so as to penetrate in the right-and-left direction of the dispensinghead 4. - On both right and left sides of the dispensing
head 4,cams 26 are attached, respectively. For each of thecam plates 26, an arc-shaped cam groves 27 is provided. Thecam plate 26 has a pivotingpin 28 protruding outward in the right-and-left direction of the dispensinghead 4. To the pivotingpin 28, aswinging plate 29 is attached swingably within a back-and-forth plane of the dispensing head 4 (within the plane in parallel to the paper face ofFIG. 4 ). - To the
swinging plate 29, the lower end of alever 30 extended aslant forward-upward of the dispensinghead 4 is fixed. The upper ends of thelevers 30 are pivoted at both ends of ahorizontal member 31 horizontally extended in the slot groove 25 a of theblock 25 in the right-and-left direction of the dispensinghead 4. Thus, if the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 operates so that therod 23 moves vertically for thebody 22 and theblock 25 thereby ascends/descends, the right and left levers 30 swing the pair ofswinging plates 29 around the pivotingpins 28 while moving, within the slot groove 25 a, thehorizontal member 31 connecting the upper ends of thelevers 30 to each other. - The
swinging plates 29 are provided withlid traps 32, respectively. Eachlid trap 32 includes twoparallel rails 33 extended from theswinging plate 29, acoupler 34 coupling the lower ends of these tworails 33, aslide plate 35 sliding along therails 33, anarm supporting shaft 37 with both ends supported by supporting shaft supports 36 provided to the outer face of theslide plate 35, anarm 38 which is supported in its intermediate part by thearm supporting shaft 37 and extend in the vertical direction of the dispensinghead 4 to be swingable in the right-and-left direction of the dispensinghead 4, and sucking pads (sucking pieces) 39 attached to the lower end of thearm 38. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , a slideplate urging spring 43 is hung over between a first spring securing piece 41, extended so as to protrude inward from the slide plate 35 (toward the center of the dispensing head 4), and a second spring securing piece 42, extended inward from thecoupler 34. Thus, although eachslide plate 35 is urged by the slideplate urging spring 43 to move toward thecoupler 34, since acam follower 44 extended to protrude inward from theslide plate 35 is located with acam groove 27, theslide plate 35 maintains thecam follower 44 in a state kept in contact with the inner peripheral edge of thecam groove 27. - Between the upper part of each
arm 38 with respect to thearm supporting shaft 37 and theslide plate 35, anarm urging spring 45 is hung over. By thisarm urging spring 45, eacharm 38 is normally urged in a direction in which its lower end moves outwardly (in the direction in which the distance between the lower ends of botharms 38 extend from each other). - Each
slide plate 35 is provided with an arm opening/closing cylinder 46 with its piston 46 a oriented outward. The piston 46 a of the arm opening/closing cylinder 46 is kept in contact with the upper end of thearm 38. So, if the arm opening/closing cylinder 46 gradually projects the piston 46 a outward of the dispensinghead 4, thearm 38 swings against the urging force of thearm urging spring 45 to inwardly move its lower end (toward the center of the dispensing head 4). - Referring to
FIG. 3 , thearms 38 bend inwardly in their lower part with respect to thearm supporting shaft 37, and at their lower ends,end lids 47 are attached, respectively. Eachend lid 47 has a projection 47 a projected inwardly. On the lower face of theend lid 47, plural suckingpads 39 are arranged in the back-and-forth direction of the dispensinghead 4 in a state where the sucking face is oriented downward (seeFIG. 4 also). - Referring to
FIG. 3 , the interval Wmax between the tips of the projections 47 a of bothend lids 47 when the quantity of outward projection of the pistons 46 a of the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 is minimum is larger than the width Wo of the sample vessel 8 (this state is assumed as a state where thearms 38 are opened). The interval Wmin between the right and left suckingpads 39 when the quantity of outward projection of the pistons 46 a of the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 is maximum is smaller than the width Wo of the sample vessel 8 (this state is assumed as a state where thearms 38 are closed). Additionally, inFIG. 3 , thearms 38 illustrated to have the largest interval between bothend lids 47 are shown in the state where the quantity of projection of the pistons 46 a is minimum (this also applies toFIG. 9 ). Thearms 38 illustrated to have the smallest interval between bothend lids 47 are shown in the state where the quantity of projection of the pistons 46 a is maximum (this also applies toFIG. 6 ). - Each
arm 38 is formed in a hollow pipe shape. Its interior constitutes a vacuum tube path connected to the suckingpad 39 from theend lid 47. To the upper end of eacharm 38, avacuum hose 49 is connected through a vacuumhose connecting piece 48. Thevacuum hose 49 is connected to a vacuum source 51 (FIG. 5 ). Between the vacuum source 51 and thevacuum hose 49, an sucking on/off valve 52 is arranged. By operating the sucking on/off valve 52 from a control device 53 included in thedispenser 1, a vacuum sucking force can be generated on the lower sucking surface of the sucking pads 39 (sucking “ON”), or otherwise the vacuum sucking force generated can be released (sucking “OFF”). - In this
dispenser 1, by the expanding/contracting operation, the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 swings the right and left lid traps 32 within the back-and-forth planes of the dispensinghead 4. In an air path (not shown) connecting the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 and an air source 54 (FIG. 5 ), an arm swinging valve 55 is arranged. By operating the spool of the arm swinging valve 55 from the control device 53 so that the path of the air supplied from the air source 54 to the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 is changed, the expanding/contracting operation of the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 can be performed. - Further, in the
dispenser 1, the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 swing thearms 38 within the right-and-left planes of the dispensinghead 4 through the protruding/sinking operation of the pistons 46 a. In an air path (not shown) connecting the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 and the air source 54, an arm opening/closing valve 56 is arranged. By operating the spool of the arm opening/closing valve 56 from the control device 53 so that the path of the air supplied from the air source 54 to the arm opening/closing cylinder 46 is changed, the projecting/sinking operation of the pistons 46 a of the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 can be performed (FIG. 5 ). - In the
dispenser 1 having the structure described above, prior to dispensing the sample into thesample vessel 8 by the dispensinghead 4, using the lid traps 32, thelid 9 can be removed from thesample vessel 8 and while the dispensing is executed, the removedlid 9 remains moved sideward (rearward) of the dispensinghead 4. Upon completion of the dispensing by the dispensinghead 4, thelid 9 can be returned onto theoriginal sample vessel 8 so that dust or rubbish does not enter thesample vessel 8. Now referring toFIGS. 6 , 7 and 8, an explanation will be given of the operation of the lid traps 32 of removing thelid 9 from thesample vessel 8 to move it sideward of the dispensinghead 4 and returning thelid 9 moved sideward of the dispensinghead 4 to theoriginal sample vessel 8. - In order to dispense the sample into the
sample vessel 8 using the dispensinghead 4, first, the dispensinghead 4 is moved immediately above thesample vessel 8 with thelid 9 put on the upper surface (on the upper surface of which thelid 9 is placed). By controlling the operation of the arm opening/closing valve 56 from the control device 53 so that the quantity of projection of the pistons 46 a of the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 becomes maximum, botharms 38 are placed in the closed state. Further, lowering the dispensinghead 4 so that suckingpads 39 at the lower ends of botharms 38 are pressed against the upper surface of thelid 9. By controlling the operation of the sucking on/off valve 52 from the control device 53, the vacuum sucking force is generated on the sucking plane of the suckingpads 39 so that thelid 9 is sucked. Thus, thelid 9 is placed in a state trapped by the lid traps 32. Subsequently, by raising the dispensinghead 4, thelid 9 can be removed from thesample vessel 8. - After the
lid 9 has been removed from thesample vessel 8, by controlling the operation of the arm swinging valve 55 from the control device 53 so that lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 is expanded to upward swing the swingingplates 29 through thehorizontal member 31 and levers 30 around the pivoting pins 28. Thus, the right and leftarms 38 swing around the pivoting pins 28 from the initial posture dangling downward (at this time, thecam followers 44 are located immediately below the pivoting pins 28. SeeFIG. 4 ) to reach the horizontal posture (seeFIGS. 7 and 8 ). Thus, thelid 9 trapped by the lid traps 32 moves sideward (rearward) of the dispensinghead 4. - On the way from the initial posture of the right and left
arms 38 dangling to the horizontal posture thereof, theslide plates 35 supporting therespective arms 38 slide on theguides 33 while moving thecam followers 44 along the inner peripheral edges of thecam grooves 27. In this case, the distance from the pivoting pins 28 to the inner peripheral edges of thecam grooves 27 becomes short as the swinging angle increases from the dangling posture of thearms 38 increases. For this reason theslide plates 35 slide-move on theguides 33 so that thelid 9 trapped is brought near to the dispensinghead 4 as thearm 38 rears the horizontal from the initial posture. - In this way, when the
lid 9 trapped by the lid traps 32 are moved sideward of the dispensinghead 4, thelid 9 retreats from the lower ends of thedips 6 serving as dispensing openings, which results in the state where the dispensinghead 4 can dispense the sample into the sample vessel 8 (respective wells 8 a). While keeping the state where thelid 9 has retreated sideward of the dispensinghead 4, the sample is dispensed into thesample vessel 8 by the dispensinghead 4. - Upon completion of dispensing the sample into the
sampling vessel 8 by the dispensinghead 4, thelid 9 is returned to theoriginal sample vessel 8 in the procedure reverse to that when thelid 9 is moved sideward of the dispensinghead 4. To this end, by controlling the operation of the arm swinging valve 55 from the control device 53 so that the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 is contracted to downward swing the swingingplates 29 around the pivotingpines 28 through thehorizontal member 31 and thelevers 30. Thus, the right and leftarms 38 swing around the pivoting pins 28 from the horizontal posture to reach the posture dangling downward. As a result, thelid 9 trapped by the lid traps 32 moves to beneath thedips 6 from sideward of the dispensinghead 4. So, by controlling the operation of the sucking on/off valve 52 from the control device 53 so that the vacuum sucking of thelid 9 by the suckingpads 39 is released, thelid 9 can be returned to theoriginal sample vessel 8. In this way, in thedispenser 1 according to the embodiment of this invention, a series of operations from removal of thelid 9 prior to dispensing to the dispensing and return of thelid 9 after the dispensing can be smoothly performed. - Further, in this
dispenser 1, thesample vessel 8 sandwiched by the opening/closing operation of the right and left arms 38 (swinging operation in the right-and-left direction of the dispensing head 4) can be transported to a desired position. In this case, it is not necessarily required that thesample vessel 8 is provided with thelid 9. - To this end, first, the dispensing
head 4 is moved immediately above thesample vessel 8. Next, by controlling the operation of the arm opening/closing valve 56 from the control device 53 so that the quantity of projection of the pistons 46 a of the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 is minimum, botharms 38 are placed in their opened state. Further, the dispensinghead 4 is lowered so that the projections 47 a of theend lids 47 attached to the lower ends of botharms 38 are located below the sample vessel 8 (FIG. 9 ). By controlling the operation of the arm opening/closing valve 56 from the control device 53 so that the pistons 46 a of the right and left opening/closing cylinders 46 are projected outwardly of the dispensinghead 4, botharms 38 are driven in their closed direction. Thus, thesample vessel 8 is sandwiched by theend lids 47 of botharms 38. From this state, if the dispensinghead 4 is raised, the projections 47 a of theend lids 47 of botharms 38 are brought into contact with lower surface of thesample vessel 8 from below thereby to scoop up it. This results in a state where thesample vessel 8 can be transported stably by botharms 38. From this state, if the dispensinghead 4 is moved, thesample vessel 8 can be transported to a desired position. - As understood from the description hitherto made, the
dispenser 1 according to this embodiment includes a dispensinghead 4 for dispensing the sample to thesample vessel 8 by moving relatively to thesample vessel 8, lid traps 32 attached to the dispensinghead 4 for trapping thelid 9, and a lid trap swinging cylinder 24 (lid trap driving means) for driving thelid trap 32 to move thelid 9 trapped by the lid traps 32 sideward of the dispensinghead 4. Therefore, while the sample is dispensed into thesample vessel 8 by the dispensinghead 4, thelid 9 trapped by the lid traps 32 prior to dispensing can be left moved (retreated) sideward of the dispensinghead 4. Thus, a series of operations from removal of thelid 9 prior to dispensing to the dispensing and return of thelid 9 after the dispensing can be smoothly performed so that the dispensing for thesample vessel 8 equipped with thelid 9 can be done effectively in a short time. Further, since thelid 9 removed from thesample vessel 8 prior to the dispensing is necessarily returned to theoriginal sample vessel 8, the sample within thesample vessel 8 put on thelid 9 will not be mixed in another sample. - Further, in the
dispenser 1 according to this embodiment, the lid traps 32 have thearms 38 freely swingable for the dispensinghead 4. When thearms 38 are driven by the lidtrap swinging cylinder 24 to swing for the dispensinghead 4, they operate to bring the trappedlid 9 near to the dispensinghead 4. For this reason, the quantity of overhanging of thelid 9 from the dispensinghead 4 after moved sideward of the dispensinghead 4 can be decreased. - Further, in the
dispenser 1 according to this embodiment, thearms 38 are provided as a pair on both sides of the dispensinghead 4 and the arm opening/closing cylinders 46 (arm opening/closing means) are provided to cause the lower ends of these pair ofarms 38 to open/close to sandwich thesample vessel 8. For this reason, not only the detachment/attachment of thelid 9 put on thesample vessel 8 but also the transportation of thesample vessel 8 itself by the movement of the dispensinghead 4 can be done. - Although this invention has been explained hitherto with reference to its embodiment, it should not be limited to the embodiment explained. For example, in the embodiment explained, the configuration was adopted in which the
lid 9 is trapped by sucking using the sucking pieces (sucking pads 39) provided on the lower parts of the twoarms 38 dangling from both sides of the dispensinghead 4, but another configuration may be adopted in which thelid 9 is trapped by opening/closing the twoarms 38. However, like this embodiment, where thelid 9 is moved sideward of the dispensinghead 4 by swinging of thearms 38 after thelid 9 is trapped, the configuration using the suckingpads 39 lidable of surely trapping thelid 9 is preferred. - In the embodiment described above, the configuration was adopted in which the pair of
arms 38 are caused to dangle on both sides of the dispensinghead 4 and the sucking pieces (sucking pads 39) are formed on the lower ends of therespective arms 38. However, another configuration may be adopted in which the lower ends of the two arms dangling from both sides of the dispensinghead 4 are coupled with each other by a horizontal coupler laterally extending below the dispensinghead 4 and a sucking pad is formed on the lower surface of the coupler. Otherwise, still another configuration may be adopted in which one arm dangling from the one side of the dispensinghead 4 is bent at its lower end to constitute the horizontal member laterally extending below the dispensinghead 4 and the sucking pad is formed on the lower surface of the horizontal member. - Further, in the embodiment described above, the configuration was adopted in which the lid traps 32 have the
arms 38 freely swingable for the dispensinghead 4 and thearms 38 are swung for the dispensinghead 4 thereby to move thelid 9 sideward of the dispensinghead 4. However, as long as the lid traps are driven by the lid trap driving means thereby to move the trappedlid 9 sideward of the dispensinghead 4, another configuration may be adopted in which the lid traps have the horizontal members extending from the dispensinghead 4 and vertical members dangling therefrom and the vertical members are slide-moved along the horizontal members thereby to move thelid 9 sideward of the dispensinghead 4. - The dispensing for a sample vessel equipped with a lid can be done effectively in a short time. Further, it is possible to prevent the sample within the sample vessel put on the lid from being mixed into another sample.
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-318261 filed on Nov. 27, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims (7)
1. A dispenser for dispensing a sample in a sample vessel equipped with a removable lid in a state where the lid is removed, comprising:
a dispensing head for dispensing the sample into the sample vessel by its movement relative to the sample vessel;
a lid trap attached to the dispensing head for trapping the lid; and
a lid trap driving means for driving the lid trap to move the lid trapped by the lid trap sideward of the dispensing head.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein said lid trap has an arm swingable for the dispensing head, and said lid trap driving means swings the arm for the dispensing head thereby to move the lid tapped by the lid trap sideward of the dispensing head.
3. A dispenser according to claim 2 , wherein when said arm is driven by the lid trap driving means to swing for the dispensing head, it operates to bring the trapped lid near to the dispensing head.
4. A dispenser according to claim 2 , wherein said lid trap traps the lid by sucking using a sucking piece formed at the lower end of the arm.
5. A dispenser according to claim 3 , wherein said lid trap traps the lid by sucking using a sucking piece formed at the lower end of the arm.
6. A dispenser according to claim 2 , wherein said arm is provided as a pair of arms on both sides of the dispensing head, and an arm opening/closing means is provided to open/close the lower ends of the pair of arms to sandwich the sample vessel.
7. A dispenser according to claim 3 , wherein said arm is provided as a pair of arms on both sides of the dispensing head, and an arm opening/closing means is provided to open/close the lower ends of the pair of arms to sandwich the sample vessel.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006318261A JP2008134066A (en) | 2006-11-27 | 2006-11-27 | Dispenser |
JP2006-318261 | 2006-11-27 | ||
PCT/JP2007/073284 WO2008069161A1 (en) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-11-27 | Dispenser |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100043920A1 true US20100043920A1 (en) | 2010-02-25 |
Family
ID=39145227
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/441,647 Abandoned US20100043920A1 (en) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-11-27 | Dispenser |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100043920A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2008134066A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008069161A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023157937A1 (en) * | 2022-02-17 | 2023-08-24 | 富士フイルム和光純薬株式会社 | Measuring device |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3915652A (en) * | 1973-08-16 | 1975-10-28 | Samuel Natelson | Means for transferring a liquid in a capillary open at both ends to an analyzing system |
US4495149A (en) * | 1981-09-18 | 1985-01-22 | Toa Medical Electronic Co., Ltd. | Optical-type automatic analyzing and measuring apparatus |
US5380486A (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1995-01-10 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for taking liquid content for use in analysis out of container |
US5510081A (en) * | 1991-11-13 | 1996-04-23 | Queensland University Of Technology | Test sampling apparatus |
US6148878A (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2000-11-21 | Robodesign International, Inc. | Automated microplate filling device and method |
US20010028863A1 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-11 | Nobuhiro Kitagawa | Liquid dispersing apparatus and an automatic analyzing apparatus using the same |
US20040197897A1 (en) * | 2002-03-19 | 2004-10-07 | Leighton Stephen B. | Tissue array instrument |
US6919044B1 (en) * | 1999-06-17 | 2005-07-19 | Beckman Coulter, Inc. | Sample loading and handling interface to multiple chemistry analyzers |
US7284900B2 (en) * | 2001-10-19 | 2007-10-23 | Monogen, Inc. | Apparatus and method for mixing specimens in vials |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH09281115A (en) * | 1996-04-08 | 1997-10-31 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Dispenser |
JP4542287B2 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2010-09-08 | シスメックス株式会社 | Reagent container opening / closing unit and barcode attaching unit |
DE20012472U1 (en) * | 2000-07-12 | 2001-03-01 | Innova Ges Zur Entwicklung Und | Device for multiple capping of reaction vessels |
JP3823979B2 (en) * | 2004-04-07 | 2006-09-20 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Microplate processing apparatus and microplate transfer method |
-
2006
- 2006-11-27 JP JP2006318261A patent/JP2008134066A/en active Pending
-
2007
- 2007-11-27 US US12/441,647 patent/US20100043920A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-11-27 WO PCT/JP2007/073284 patent/WO2008069161A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3915652A (en) * | 1973-08-16 | 1975-10-28 | Samuel Natelson | Means for transferring a liquid in a capillary open at both ends to an analyzing system |
US4495149A (en) * | 1981-09-18 | 1985-01-22 | Toa Medical Electronic Co., Ltd. | Optical-type automatic analyzing and measuring apparatus |
US5380486A (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1995-01-10 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for taking liquid content for use in analysis out of container |
US5510081A (en) * | 1991-11-13 | 1996-04-23 | Queensland University Of Technology | Test sampling apparatus |
US6919044B1 (en) * | 1999-06-17 | 2005-07-19 | Beckman Coulter, Inc. | Sample loading and handling interface to multiple chemistry analyzers |
US6148878A (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2000-11-21 | Robodesign International, Inc. | Automated microplate filling device and method |
US20010028863A1 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-11 | Nobuhiro Kitagawa | Liquid dispersing apparatus and an automatic analyzing apparatus using the same |
US7284900B2 (en) * | 2001-10-19 | 2007-10-23 | Monogen, Inc. | Apparatus and method for mixing specimens in vials |
US20040197897A1 (en) * | 2002-03-19 | 2004-10-07 | Leighton Stephen B. | Tissue array instrument |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008069161A1 (en) | 2008-06-12 |
JP2008134066A (en) | 2008-06-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2545315C (en) | Method and apparatus for filling liquids into foil bags with a spout | |
US8007741B1 (en) | Pipetting head with plate gripper | |
KR20080015382A (en) | Liquid substance supplying device | |
HU230739B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for automatic staining masking, digitizing of slides | |
ZA200600488B (en) | Sampling device nad method for an automated analysis apparatus | |
KR20050109937A (en) | Methods, rack and device for preparing samples for analysis | |
US20040067170A1 (en) | Distribution apparatus and method for detaching distribution tip in distribution apparatus | |
US20100043920A1 (en) | Dispenser | |
EP3078441A1 (en) | Solder supply device | |
EP0502371A2 (en) | Suction device for membrane microtiter plates | |
US6803018B1 (en) | Transport device for sample holders with medical specimens | |
JP2003302411A (en) | Dispensing device | |
JP2002340912A (en) | Dispenser | |
JPH04244239A (en) | Liquid suction pippet and distribution device | |
JP4189913B2 (en) | Protein dispenser | |
US20230393105A1 (en) | Support fixture for chromatography columns | |
JP2602568Y2 (en) | Sample container opening device | |
CN110832328A (en) | Fluid delivery system | |
JP2002333450A (en) | Dispensing apparatus | |
JP3618317B2 (en) | Protein chip holder | |
JP3778002B2 (en) | Dispensing device | |
JP4039002B2 (en) | Sample cleaning device | |
JP3052483U (en) | Spray coating bracket system | |
US20230136781A1 (en) | Device and method for wetting biological material with at least one liquid, and retaining apparatus | |
US20040025959A1 (en) | Method of and device for filling bags, having a movable filling sleeve |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PANASONIC CORPORATION,JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HIGUCHI, AKIRA;REEL/FRAME:022725/0701 Effective date: 20090302 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |